On Jan. 2, 2006, Ken and Liz were traveling back from Anchorage after spending time with their family for the Christmas and New Year holiday. They were killed by a young man driving too fast on a road known for disaster.
One minute the sun was shining, and they were smiling and thinking about their newborn grandson, and the next minute they were dead through no fault of their own. Their grandson will never know them, hear their voice, see their smiles or feel their love.
Their life was stolen from them by a careless young man. He has expressed no regret. He needs to be taught respect. He needs to be penalized for killing two people. He needs to feel some remorse for what he has done in taking these fine people away from their children, grandchildren, brothers, mother and father.
The District Attorney’s office has decided to not charge the person who killed Ken and Liz Wardwell. He was driving with no license because he had lost his right to drive due to his many speeding violations.
Granted he was in a time frame where he could go renew his suspended license, but he hadn’t bothered to do that yet. He did have his insurance.
Still, he was breaking the law by driving without a license and he was driving too fast.
He has a recorded history of breaking the law speeding. He passed several people that day who will testify that he was driving too fast.
But the State of Alaska has decided to let it go and not charge him with anything.
There has to be some form of punishment for killing two people by driving recklessly with no regard for others. How can someone kill two people and not get charged with anything?
The State of Alaska has decided to not even slap his wrist. As I understand it, state officials haven’t even questioned him. In essence, they are condoning his behavior, thereby giving the message that in Alaska you can get by with murder.
How many people can you kill with your vehicle before the Alaska laws kick in and take the driver off the street? We know two people isn’t enough. Is it three? Five? Ten?
Maybe a school bus full of children? Will that get their attention?
The only way this lackluster decision will be changed is public outcry. Are you, the public, seriously ready to allow people to be killed on the road and not expect at least minimal justice?
When Ken and Liz were killed the public outcry was huge. People demanded that this kind of behavior be stopped. The State of Alaska has now condoned this driving behavior in its decision to do nothing. Make them change their minds by telling them you won’t stand for this. Please call or write today.
I would encourage you all to contact the District Attorney’s Office, 310 K St., Suite 520, Anchorage, AK 99501 or call (907) 269-6300.
Also, call or write your elected representatives, the ones who make the laws that are being ignored.
The loss of Ken and Liz Wardwell is tragic. Nothing will bring them back. Wouldn’t you want the powers that be to reconsider their decision to not prosecute and find a way to bring some justice to this horrible act?
This person should be taught a lesson; the State of Alaska can do that. Please help us convince them to at least try.
Debra Leisek has lived in Homer since 1989. She is the broker at Bay Realty, where Ken Wardwell worked at the time of his death.
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